Clément Guinet, communications manager for UTT's student project for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, explains the development of their prototype hydrogen boat to take part in the event.
What is the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge?
The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is an international challenge open to the public, inviting students and professionals from all over the world to take part in three different classes: Energy, Solar and Open Sea Class. Initiated by the Yacht Club de Monaco, the event aims to create a platform where open source information sharing takes center stage, linking tomorrow's engineers with today's industry leaders.
In concrete terms, the organization provides us with a one-design hull, and it's up to us to motorize it and create a steering cell. Each team will have to create an energy production system covering an area of 5m², as well as a mobile energy storage module to supply the motor with energy.
Over the course of a year, students are tasked with designing and building the entire energy chain for a motorboat, ensuring that it is as environmentally friendly as possible.
How does a student association fit into such a project?
UTT Marine, our sailing association, is part of the Université des Technologies de Troyes. We usually organize sailing courses, student cruises and coastal license examinations. But in June 2022, we heard about this project and decided to go for it.
In the 1st semester, there were nine of us working on the project. But a number of students had to be absent due to the demands of their courses. With the support of our teacher-researchers, we developed our project for a hydrogen-powered boat. We structured ourselves around 5 areas: energy chain, motorization, cockpit construction, safety and electronics, and partnerships.
While it's first and foremost a competition with rankings, it's also a think-tank that enables us to exchange ideas with other teams. We are 17 teams from 9 different countries. Some of the teams come from Malaysia or India. The exchanges are intense and highly instructive.
Tell us about your prototype
We're delighted to have been selected to take part in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, especially as it's UTT's first application. We really started from scratch, both technically and in terms of budget.
We've tried to develop a prototype with a lot of versatility. We are being evaluated on the speed, autonomy and maneuverability of our vessel.
We launched our first model, based on a Hobbie Cat 16 platform, in June 2023. We've chosen a Rim Drive Technologie engine, which features an innovative propeller blade system, and our power source comes from a hydrogen fuel cell developed by Oceanco.
We designed the cockpit ourselves, based on an aluminum structure with a fairing made of stretched canvas to limit on-board weight.
How does the challenge work?
The first few days in the port of Monaco are devoted to assembly and testing. The boat is then inspected by an inspection committee. A grand parade is organized in the port, followed by the speed, endurance and slalom events.
When we arrived, we feared we'd be ridiculed by the other teams, most of whom have experience and a track record on this challenge. In the end, we weren't too bad. And there's a lot of mutual support between the teams.
We've learned a lot and hope to continue our project for future classes of students.
What is the budget required for such a project?
Our budget of 50,000 euros was financed by partners we approached and who agreed to support us. In addition to our BDE, we were supported by the Fondation UTT and the Banque Populaire Alsace Champagne.
